Who has had something stolen in Bonaire

[DiverVince]

Well said Liz. It's nice to have first hand information from someone who lives on island and is involved with the day to day activities on this subject. I definitely agree that Bonaire is a "mini paradise", but just like in Eden, sometimes problems do crop up. It's nice to know that they are being addressed by the local authorities.

 

[dvrliz1]

Danki (Thank you) Vince.

It just that I am always hearing about how bad crime is on Bonaire, from people that don't live here. I'm not saying they are not justified by their feelings, especially as a victim of crime, I've been in their shoes. I felt it important that someone who actually lives on Bonaire give a bit of insight.

Thanks again and I hope this helps.

 

[mike_s]

Liz... thanks for your inside on the island perspective.

I didn't realize that a lot of the crime/theft committed there was from non residents.

I still believe that if the police wanted to do something about it, they could. But that is true of many US towns also.


Still.... I don't see why this would keep me from coming to Bonaire. Just take precaution like everyone else. Tens of thousands of people come there every year and keep coming back. So a few incidents of crime haven't ruined the island or anything.

 

[Yazmeen]

Just got back on Saturday from a one week stay at Belmar Apts; we were there with a large group for a wedding. I was a bit apprehensive about going prior to the trip due to the reports I'd read about thefts, etc.; however, it turned out to be one of the most memorable and wonderful vacations diver hubby and I have ever had.

Staff at Belmar was terrific and honest; stressed keeping our apartments locked and valuables out of site and in the safe. The apartment locks operated by a key inside and out with strong deadbolts, so no-one could break a glass panel and twist a handle to open the door. Belmar goes into "lockdown" at night; you need a key to open the gates to get to the pool and dock area, and "Butchie" the security guard (a real sweetie) guides you to a parking place AND escorts you to your door or at least watches to make sure you are OK getting there. You want safety? One of our crew left his sliding glass door on the ground floor, ocean side, unlocked the first night after he went to sleep. Butchie knocked and woke him up to get him to lock the door. One of our group arrived on a red-eye flight very late and Butchie was waiting to take her to her apartment. He also kept an eye on all people coming and going during the wedding ceremony (the man has an eye for knowing who is staying there, and in what unit). I have NEVER felt safer anywhere I've stayed aside from my own house!

We rented a car as I'm a non-diver; the group worked out cars and trucks to make sure non-divers and divers had transport. Except at the apartments, our car was left unlocked with a couple of windows lowered, nothing of value in it and we had no problems. We also found just about everyone on the island universally friendly and helpful. Food and activities were great, and prices overall were rather a bit lower than we've seen in our trips to Aruba and Cayman.

This is not being written to put down or disregard the experiences of those who have had problems. Some have taken precautions and had incidents happen, and others have left things insecure and had thefts (I'm actually surprised how many stories I've read here and on other boards of people who'd SLEEP with their doors left open. Obviously it isn't fair that they were robbed, but they didn't exactly help the situation themselves - that behavior is just plain dumb).

Yes, the theft issue is not to be discounted; however, tarring the reputation of the entire island is not fair either. I didn't stop going to Aruba because of the Holloway incident, and I intend to return to Bonaire and Belmar. In my field (medicine) you balance risks and benefits. The benefits of a Bonaire vacation far, far outweighed the risks.

 

[Dive California]

I thought this thread was set-up to learn how crooks were stealing and to protect against those types of attacks.

LIZ, you seem to take this so personal, and are too quick to defend. I think most of the people here are still going to visit and even return to Bonaire...they (we) just want to learn how they're committing these crimes, so we can prevent them from continuing.

I’m in law enforcement and crime does take place everywhere. Most of the time, it is from non-residents…even metropolitan areas, like Los Angeles. Don’t get offended …sit back listen and offer suggestions. Remember, most people are on holiday and being a victim of crime while on holiday can quickly ruin a pleasant time on the island.

So people have posting some good/detailed descriptions of what happen and have even suggested some actions to take…thank you,

cb

 

[Warmwater Wank]

And after we solve Bonaire's crime problem we can then make them safe for democracy?...just kidding. (Right?) DC, I'll take insight and advice any day of the week from a local and successful, tourist-based business owner. Responses like yours ("LIZ, you seem to take this so personal, and are too quick to defend.") might not encourage her or other locals to speak up in the future. Defensive? I heard her say a lot of useful things that put this whole matter in clearer context. Thanks Liz. // ww

 

[dvrliz1]

I thought this thread was set-up to learn how crooks were stealing and to protect against those types of attacks.

LIZ, you seem to take this so personal, and are too quick to defend. I think most of the people here are still going to visit and even return to Bonaire...they (we) just want to learn how they're committing these crimes, so we can prevent them from continuing.

I’m in law enforcement and crime does take place everywhere. Most of the time, it is from non-residents…even metropolitan areas, like Los Angeles. Don’t get offended …sit back listen and offer suggestions. Remember, most people are on holiday and being a victim of crime while on holiday can quickly ruin a pleasant time on the island.

So people have posting some good/detailed descriptions of what happen and have even suggested some actions to take…thank you,

cb

Dive,

I am not taking this personally at all. I may be a "little" defensive, but cautiously, on the fact that people who do not live here will tell you how "bad" crime is on Bonaire. Posting of what happened to an individual or group is productive, as it can help in 2 ways; release some of the frustration by verbalizing, and providing information to other tourists who will be travelling to Bonaire, but posting that crime is "bad" on Bonaire is another thing.

I've been involved in the industry here on Bonaire since 1998, and can tell you that we have listened, provided feedback to the government/police, and provide info to tourists for prevention of theft/crime with every check in as do the majority if not all accommodations/resorts. We will continue to listen, provide feedback and advise to our guests.


I am just trying to put things in perspective as a local business person on the island, who is involved in the tourist industry, that is all. I understand that there are some people who's vacations are "ruined" by a theft and agree that it can happen anywhere, anytime. I didn't sleep for 3 nights, after we were victims of crime, so I can definitely empathize with the tourists. This crime happened a while ago, so I am over it. My point for mentioning it was that I DO understand the tourists' fear and frustration, but once again, I'm just trying to put a local's perspective into place.

Thanks for your feedback

Liz

 

[Chris Hipp]

The only thing I have ever had stolen while diving was a T-shirt that I left out at Lake Travis. Thieves are everywhere.

 

[MeiLing]

Crime takes place everywhere! There's always someone who is willing to liberate something of yours if you're not watching. Hawaii really isn't that much different from Bonaire in that respect. You just have to be careful!

Last weekend, I watched while, at FireHouse on the North Shore, some woman came out of the water with a lot of nice gear, removed her BCD (ScubaPro) with tank, left it standing on its bottom while she stacked her fins on top, promptly toppling it over onto the BCD. Then she left it sitting on a mat, with the rest of her gear, while she sat 25 yards away, gear in a very busy parking lot, with the view of her car and said dive gear totally and completely blocked by a HUGE Ford Explorer! It's a small miracle it wasn't stolen!

And I've seen other times where folks' vehicles have been broken into for a bag lunch and a pair of rubber slippers!:shakehead

 

[tonka97]

All in all Bonaire IS a mini paradise, and I would not live anywhere else.

+1000

I plan to keep returning!

Visitors should always use room safes. I was able to put cameras, IPOD, and other goodies in mine at Captain Don's. The divers in my group that had money stolen did not use their room safes.

Leave truck doors unlocked, with nothing in the truck you would truly miss.

Bonaire is pretty close to being heaven, but like ANYWHERE just be aware!